About to be “Frequently asked Questions” concerning “fast track” teacher licensure in the state of Wisconsin. Is there a way to get a teaching license without student teaching? Yes. Is there a way to get a teaching license without taking the edTPA? Yes. Is there a way to avoid that horrible Foundations of Reading Test?… Read more »

Stupid cliche alert.  “Be careful what you wish for.” Wisconsin has a new budget! Finally we can get down to the continued further “disruption” of the teaching profession. Yes it is now official.  $2100, 10 months, and no student teaching gets you a license to teach in Wisconsin—teacher shortage solution I’ve been told.  Never mind… Read more »

Since testifying against the Wisconsin DPI (Department of Public Instruction) teacher license rule changes, some have suggested that I am simply a defender of the status quo. That my insistence on “standards” means I wish to keep in place the current system. Nothing can be further from the truth. Here is a direct quote from… Read more »

Good afternoon.  My name is Tim Slekar and I am the Dean of the School of Education at Edgewood College.   Let me be clear from the outset. Our teacher shortage is a manufactured crisis that has resulted in an Exodus from the profession and has routed potential teachers away from teacher education.   Loosening, tinkering, and doing… Read more »

Wisconsin’s Department of Public Instruction is toying around with this statement.   “School districts throughout the state are experiencing difficulties obtaining and retaining licensed personnel. These difficulties can impact children’s educational experience. An emergency rule is needed to create additional flexibility in the teacher licensing process for individuals who are seeking a license for the… Read more »

Let’s be very clear. There is NO teacher shortage. There is a teacher Exodus. Loosening, tinkering, and doing away with teacher licenses will do NOTHING except kill the profession of teaching and dramatically increase systemic inequity. It is happening all across the country. Policy makers, pundits and idiots keep screaming teacher shortage.  And, in the… Read more »

Below is a letter that has been revised.  However, the message is appropriate for any supporter of public schools, professional teachers, and equity for all children. The original letter was sent to the state wide leaders of teacher education in Wisconsin.  The letter was written because of my adamant disapproval of toying with teacher licenses even… Read more »